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Roswell coyote hunt contest draws 'several hundred'

ROSWELL - The owner of a southeastern New Mexico gun store says "several hundred" hunters are participating in his shop's sponsored coyote hunting contest this weekend.

Wiley Maloney, owner of Larry's Discount Gun Shop and Sporting Goods in Roswell, told The Associated Press Saturday that he didn't know of how many teams of two-hunters had entered but that the two-day competition has drawn hunters across New Mexico.

Maloney says his store has not seen protesters unlike a previous coyote hunt event in Los Lunas.

A gun store in Los Lunas held a similar contest in October despite angry protests and death threats from animal rights activists. Animal rights groups are pushing a state proposal to ban similar coyote hunts. The House could vote on a proposed ban next week.